So in this last week of the old year, I find myself, as always, looking back on the 12 months. I try to be honest with myself and see if I accomplished what I'd hoped to with 365 days of my life. Like always, I find that I probably didn't always make the best use of my time. I should have written more. I should have exercised more. I should have eaten better. Should have been more patient. Should have been a better person.

Yeah, all those "should haves" can really weigh you down.

But then I remind myself of the good things that happened in the past year. The great, unexpected things. Bound by Design was chosen as one of three novellas to be included in Samhain's Binding Ties anthology.

Chains of Desire was released as a download by Ellora's Cave in May and came out in print in September.

My Sapphire jewel novella, Lia's Warrior came out in an Ellora's Cave anthology, Sapphire Sizzle. (And I just found out we received 4 Stars from Romantic Times - the review will be included in the February issue of RT Book Reviews.)

I've been blessed with a lot of great reviews, including this new one at Fresh Fiction for Dark Angel which was released by Red Sage last January.

I made a lot of new friends this year in the writing community. I've done my best to keep in contact with old friends too. And the notes I've received from readers always make my day, letting me know I must be doing something right. While I rarely find the time to update them, I'm now on Facebook and Twitter, as well as MySpace.

And since The Better To Eat You With won a weekly Cover Clash, it is up for the 2009 Ultimate Clash at Embrace the Shadows. There are only a few days left to vote, so if you haven't already done so, I'd love your vote. The artist, Kanaxa, did an awesome job on this cover and will win an award as well if we win. You can check it out here.

So now, as I look back, I see that 2009 wasn't so bad after all. I'll just have to work on the exercise and eating better and having more patience...

Let's see, I had 3 books published (Three Alarm Tenant, The Rock Star's Retreat and Trio) with 3 different publishers (Lyrical, Freya's Bower and Liquid Silver.) I wrote 2 books and finished editing 3 others for submission (it'll be 4 before the day is out and might be 5 by New Year's Day if I get cracking.) I lost a job, was rear ended, started grad school and had surgery. Met you.

Natasha, congrats on all your wonderful successes for 2009. I try not to dwell on the negative aspects of the year and remember the good: released three e-stories with Red Sage -- Aphrodite's Fire, The Gee Spot, and Triple Threat and one book from Harlequin Intrigue - Circumstantial Memories. I also sold three more books to HQ Intrigue, which will all be published in 2010, beginning with The Sheriff of Silverhill in Jan. It's going to be a great year!

Congrats, Natasha, what a fabulous 2009 list of accomplishments and accolades! All much deserved, too, and lots to be proud of. You were also blessed with some very hot covers. Phew. :)

My 2009 wasn't as packed as I'd planned due to some personal challenges, but I'm prepared for a good 2010.

Diet and excercise - sooo tough to start and maintain. I finally decided I'm just procrastinating if I make it a resolution, so I started a new program Dec. 1 instead of waiting. I did let myself have a 2-day cheat period for the holidays (*blush*), but I'm back on track now.

Wow, Natasha! That's quite a lot of accolades. I guess I'm not the only one who likes your books. (grin)

I had an up and down year. It began with a big up. Getting an agent and a 3 book deal! Then the hard work took me all the way to Oct. But now final edits are done for Strange Neighbors and I have my cover artwork! See my NEW website, www.ashlynchase.netThat's .net, not .com.

I've also contracted and edited two more novellas for EC coming out in the summer. Dear Sexy Lexie will be in the Red Stilettos series and Strokes will be one of the 2010 Arts books.

At the end of October, I had surgery and a couple of weeks later I sprained my wrist, thumb and a couple of fingers. Thank goodness I got an extension on my deadline for book 2 in the Strange series! Yes, 2009 was Strange!

That's awesome you've accomplished so much this year, Natasha! Very inspiring! This has been a great year for me because my first two books were released, and for many other reasons too. Best wishes in 2010!